COLLEGE TENNIS ANY MORE INFO. GUIDE TO FURTHER EDUCATION TENNIS 2017 An overview of the resources and support available to colleges

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1 MORE INFO For further information on British Tennis Further Education programme in your local area please visit or contact: North Cheshire Cumbria Durham & Cleveland Isle of Man Lancashire Northumberland Yorkshire East Bedfordshire Berkshire Buckinghamshire Cambridgeshire Essex Hertfordshire Norfolk Northamptonshire Oxfordshire Suffolk Midlands Derbyshire Herefordshire Leicestershire Lincolnshire Nottinghamshire Shropshire Staffordshire Warwickshire Worcestershire South East Kent Middlesex Surrey Sussex London Boroughs South West Avon Cornwall Devon Dorset Gloucestershire Hampshire Isle of Wight & CI Somerset Wiltshire Scotland Wales South: North: TENNIS ANY COLLEGE The Tennis Foundation Charity Number Registered Company Number Supported by: GUIDE TO FURTHER EDUCATION TENNIS 2017 An overview of the resources and support available to colleges

2 WELCOME Colleges across Great Britain are using tennis as a tool to enrich and widen student experience, and to contribute to employability skills across the college. Choose tennis for your enrichment programmes and to engage and encourage your students to take part in physical activity more regularly. Choose tennis to train, develop and up-skill your learners for the future, giving them a step up when it comes to higher education or employability. SPORT STUDY PROGRAMMES It s been great to link everything up between ourselves, the LTA and also Newcastle City Council. The courses have been really well received and we are looking forward to the students putting into practice their new skills and experience. Marc Steutel, Sports Lecturer, Newcastle College WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Tennis has played a huge role in our aim to get our students involved with sport work experience opportunities. We have had 30 students complete the Tennis Leaders training, and 10 students have also taken their Level 1, while 60 are currently undergoing their training for the LTA Nottingham Schools Tennis Festival in June 2017 where they will coach 2,500 young children from local primary schools. The confidence, experience gained by the students at Central College Nottingham has led to employment opportunities within Nottingham Tennis Centre and local clubs. Tom Walker, Sport Work Experience Coordinator, Central College Nottingham ENRICHMENT SUPPORT The FE tennis programme within Petroc has contributed hugely to the development and experiences our students receive during their education. It has supported our vision for student enrichment alongside offering key opportunities to increase employability. Through working in partnership with the Tennis Foundation and Tarka Tennis Centre we have been able to access qualified coaches to deliver regular tennis sessions. I also think the simplicity of the tennis formats on offer work well with students who wish to turn up and play. Exit routes with Tarka Tennis Centre and our in house academies have worked well with players having the knowledge to develop and experience several formats of the game. Stephen Berry, College Sport Maker, Petroc College ENRICHMENT SUPPORT The support from the Tennis Foundation has initiated a new tennis programme at our college which has helped to meet the needs of our students in provided a more fulfilling and purposeful sports programme. Tennis has been effective in helping students adopt a healthy lifestyle and it has also been effective in bringing individuals and groups of students together. Tennis at our college has provided a platform for many students to develop new friendships. Benji Evans College Sport Maker, Walford & North Shropshire College COMMUNITY LINKS Tennis at QMC has been one of the most successful sports over the last ten years. We have a very good link with the local club, Totally Tennis, and in conjunction with them have raised the profile of the sport in the College, both from a participation perspective for staff and students, as well as a performance one. The College competes in all available tournaments and the students have annual trips to Wimbledon and the ATP World Tour Finals. Sarah Goldson, Assistant Head of PE, Queen Mary s College INCLUSIVE TENNIS The support received has developed and sustained tennis for another year at the College which has increased the sport and exercise opportunities available to the students. Tennis continues to grow with more students taking part in sessions and engaging with the various forms of tennis. The inclusive teacher training has enabled 20 staff the tools and knowledge to deliver more inclusive and exciting tennis sessions, enabling more students to enjoy the game. Kim Humphrey, Sport Co-ordinator, Carshalton College 3

3 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 6 SPORT STUDY PROGRAMMES 8 ENRICHMENT 10 SPORTS LEADERSHIP AND 18 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRESSION 20 COMPETITION 22 LINKING WITH LOCAL 23 TENNIS VENUES AND COACHES COLLEGE TENNIS SELF REVIEW 26 QUICK GUIDE TO TENNIS PRODUCTS The following products are already proving popular in colleges: touchtennis A modified version of tennis using smaller courts, shorter rackets and sponge balls - our key product for recreational players and tennis newbies in colleges and universities. Cardio Tennis A fun, sociable group fitness class set on a tennis court which can alternatively be delivered in a sports hall. Tennis Leaders A tennis themed leadership course which can be delivered by college sports staff. Tennis Leaders is the first step on the tennis pathway for volunteering and assisting with the delivery of coaching and competitions. COLLEGE TENNIS SELF REVIEW In this year s guide you ll find a self-review tool to audit your current provision and provide further ideas on how to use tennis to enrich and widen the student experience. Turn to page 26 to give it a go. About Us We are the Tennis Foundation, Great Britain s leading tennis charity. We believe anybody can play tennis. Anyone from any background and any community. No matter what their age, ability or impairment. Why do we do what we do? Because tennis is so much more than just a great sport. It s a powerful force in people s lives that can help them stretch, grow and flourish in so many unexpected ways. It s not just about what happens on the court. Whatever wider potential someone has inside them, tennis can help bring it out. The Tennis Foundation are delighted to report that since 2012 we have supported over 245 colleges. In addition during 2016 / 2017 we supported over 50 colleges on our enhanced offer. Furthermore, the regional LTA teams supported over 80 colleges through the enhanced package of support which builds upon the core offer. We have developed an offer of resources and support to increase the opportunities for young people to both enjoy tennis and to learn through the sport. British Tennis are committed to promoting safe and inclusive tennis environments for all. We do this by helping tennis people and venues to: 1. Recognise the signs and indicators of abuse, neglect and discrimination, as well as recognise and respect diversity and individual needs of members. 2. Respond to situations of abuse, neglect or discrimination, and be confident in taking positive action to meet the individual needs of members. 3. Refer any safeguarding or equality concerns to their Welfare Officer and develop confidence and knowledge by seeking information, resources and support from appropriate individuals and organisations. 4. Record concerns using the Safeguarding Concern Form, report discrimination and abuse and document success stories which help to share learning and promote best practice. 4 5

4 INTRODUCTION Welcome to the Guide to Further Education Tennis which provides an overview of all the resources and support available to the Further Education sector from the Tennis Foundation and Lawn Tennis Association. WHAT CAN TENNIS DO FOR MY COLLEGE? Free resources and promotional material for colleges to run intra-college Timed Tennis competitions. ACCESS SUPPORT THROUGH OUR College sports staff can access a free three-hour Cardio Tennis Teacher Training Course, as well as Primary, Secondary, Inclusive Courses to provide them with the skills and resources for their college. Tennis is fun, great for fitness and can be enjoyed by all ages and abilities. You don t even need tennis courts to play it can be played in sports halls, gyms or multi-sports areas. A range of adapted equipment and modified versions of the game are available, to ensure tennis can be played by everyone who wants to pick up a racket. This year s Guide to Further Education Tennis highlights how colleges across Great Britain are using tennis to enrich and widen the student experience. Colleges can access a range of support and resources aimed across five key areas: Sport Study Programmes Enrichment Workforce Development College sports staff can access free resources to deliver the Tennis Leaders modules. These can be incorporated into Sport Study Programmes. CORE OFFER AVAILABLE TO ALL COLLEGES A range of downloadable resources available on-line, to support colleges to incorporate tennis into Enrichment and Sport Study Programmes. Competition Linking with Local Tennis Venues and Coaches ENHANCED SUPPORT OFFER! 6 The Tennis Foundation first launched the Further Education Tennis Programme in September 2011, with the key objective being to grow and sustain the number of young people aged 16 to 19 years participating, competing, volunteering and coaching tennis. The Tennis Foundation is able to provide support to all further education colleges to help increase and improve tennis provision. We are looking for 30 colleges a year to receive 900 of funding, this would allow colleges to build on their core offer while receiving enhanced support from the regional LTA team. From now on colleges will need to apply for this support. For information and an application form please contact your regional team or Paul Cummins on paul.cummins@tennisfoundation.org.uk. The deadline is 15th September In return for the enhanced support colleges will be expected to demonstrate their commitment to increase regular participation, and supporting workforce development. They will also be expected to attend the FE National Training Day at Loughborough University on Tuesday 7th November

5 SPORT STUDY PROGRAMMES We have developed a wide range of study resources which are easily accessible via our website. Sports staff are now incorporating tennis into Sport Study Programmes providing greater variety for learners. A number of colleges are now building touchtennis into the Practical Sports unit so more learners can access the modified version of the game. MORE INFO The Links to Qualifications document can be accessed at: feresources Colleges are also delivering the Tennis Leaders course as part of the Sports Coaching and Leadership in Sport units, culminating with the learners delivering local primary school competitions and festivals. LINKS TO QUALIFICATIONS Working closely with the further education sector, the Tennis Foundation has produced an online resource called Links to Qualifications which provides support and guidance to sports lecturers and students alike. The resource provides direct links to a variety of useful documents and resources mapped against BTEC Level 3 Sport units, providing innovative methods of study, research, delivery and assessment in a way that is engaging and sector-specific. There are great ideas that will help bring tennis to life in your classrooms and practical areas of study, as well as support the delivery of your qualifications. Links to Qualifications highlights where British tennis resources can support the delivery of vocational study in further education and we hope that it will prove a valuable resource for both staff and students. A number of colleges are already using the resource and have signposted the link on their Virtual Learning Environment systems. STUDENT SELF-STUDY SUPPORT The Links to Qualifications document can support learners as well as lecturers in researching tennis and national governing bodies of sport (NGBs) as part of a qualification. 8 9

6 CASE STUDIES THE COLLEGE OF WEST ANGLIA Over the past four years tennis has expanded from being a sports student s only activity to engaging a large portion of the wider college community. Much of the success has been down to the staff and College Sport Maker, Sara Edwards, seeing the positive impact tennis can have on the student experience. Sara tells us how tennis has become so popular at the College of West Anglia. The Tennis Foundation have a highly flexible approach which has enabled us to engage students in tennis activity in a variety of ways, creating an enjoyable experience for all. We deliver tennis activities every year to aid social and community development for our Foundation Students (average 60 students per year) who freely choose to participate in tennis activities. These students often struggle to access opportunities to participate outside of college and tennis has really helped them to engage with both the sport and other students. For the past 2 years the college has successfully delivered the Inclusive Tennis leadership course to General Sports who have then gone on to run 6 weeks of tennis with Foundations Study groups. This project has worked incredibly well and feedback from our Foundation Studies is that they really enjoy the variety of games offered in Inclusive Tennis. They also prefer to participate in activities when the session is delivered by other students! Projects we have delivered through the Tennis Foundation have enhanced both individual development of our students and their overall curriculum courses. Students involved in leading projects such as Inclusive Tennis have given positive feedback in focus groups, stating that they gained a lot from the experience and some have even gone on to gain employment with disability groups. We have also had a lot of success engaging our BAME students in lunchtime short tennis in central areas of the college. This is really popular with construction courses who have provided feedback that they like to do lunchtime activities but don t want to walk out to the 3G pitch, so short tennis works perfectly! Females from Health and Social Care sources also consistently feedback their enjoyment of participating in fun activities in a classroom environment and have enjoyed tennis activities which are used as part of their induction taster sessions. As a college we have been able to develop a number of areas for our students, the biggest impact has been within workforce development, by the end of the year some of our young leaders will have completed Tennis Leaders, Inclusive Tennis, Cardio Tennis and also Primary Tennis workshops/ training. This has allowed the students to be involved in further delivery/ competitions within college and local schools to help us further increase participation. We have also seen a big impact amongst some specific groups of students, thanks to work with local organisation MK Inclusive tennis, we have been able to deliver disability specific tennis and are currently delivering a project targeting more BAME students. Charlene Ward-Greef and Caroline Moran, Sport Development Officers, Milton Keynes College NEWCASTLE COLLEGE The sports staff and students at Newcastle College have worked with the LTA regional team in their area to support the Tony Blair Sports Foundation (TBSF) Year 3 Tennis Competition. With the increased pressure to find the volunteers that allow school competitions to run, Newcastle College were asked to support with delivery. This fitted with Newcastle College s aspirations to further the opportunities for the Tennis Leaders who were being trained as part of the enhanced college offer. KEY SUCCESSES: Increased exposure for the college Early intervention through establishing a College Tennis Action Plan and setting up a Tennis Leaders course within the Sport Study Programme 16 students being identified and supporting at Level 2 schools competitions Link to TBSF means they have the potential to access coaching bursaries Helps to maintain the reputation of the high quality competition Further increased interest in tennis from students 10 11

7 ENRICHMENT Is your college looking for creative ways to encourage your students to take part in sport more regularly? Try touchtennis and Cardio Tennis to get your students hooked on being active. touchtennis A new updated version of Short Tennis Playing tennis is great fun and by using modified equipment and space, everyone can achieve, whether they have played before or not. Mini Tennis (or Short Tennis) is an established modified version of the sport that has assisted many young children to develop their skills before heading onto a full court. Seeing the immediate benefits of using shorter rackets, softer balls and smaller courts has allowed us to introduce the game to the more mature learner, making tennis accessible for people of all ages and ability levels. In September 2015 we launched touchtennis as our key product for recreational players and tennis newbies in colleges and universities. One of the main advantages of touchtennis is that you don t need a tennis court it can be played in a sports hall, on badminton courts, any large indoor space, or even on a free strip of car park. This modified version of the sport will allow more further education students to participate at a level that is appropriate for them, increasing their likelihood of achievement, making them want to play again. touchtennis is completely inclusive, disabled people can play against their non-disabled friends and take part in inclusive sessions and/or impairment specific sessions. A number of colleges are linking up with their local disability tennis network and incorporating tennis into enrichment programmes for their foundation learners and learners with a disability. A range of 70 touchtennis activity cards covering warmups, basics, drills, tricks and competitions are available to download online via our further education web pages. You will also find a variety of resources, ideas and formats for organising intra-college competition. Over the past few years Chesterfield College s tennis provision has gone from strength to strength with thanks to continued support from our local tennis club as well as funding and guidance from TF/LTA. Students across the whole college now have access to tennis, through bespoke sessions for targeted groups of disabled students and female students to open enrichment sessions for all. Our weekly enrichment tennis programme is run by volunteer students who have benefited from the Enhanced Tennis Offer funding, allowing them access to LTA Tennis Leaders qualifications. These students are also having an impact on the wider community by running schools tennis events. The strong link with Chesterfield Lawn Tennis Club is vital to our tennis programme, our students are able to access the clubs facilities, enjoy quality coaching from their coaching staff and the club even offers work placement opportunities for students who are looking for experience in the sport industry. Will Hughes, College Sport Maker, Chesterfield College We have introduced touchtennis to a number of students who had never tried it before, and, thanks to the partnership with Manchester Met University, we can provide a coach who makes the sessions enjoyable to attend. Students also have signed up to the Tennis Leadership Course and will go on to support the delivery of local tennis events. Sam Nightingale, College Sport Maker, The Manchester College 12 13

8 CARDIO TENNIS MORE INFO Cardio Tennis is a tennis inspired workout played to up-tempo music. It s a fun group activity that features drills and games providing a high energy workout, suitable for everyone, from those who haven t played tennis before to more advanced players. By using low compression balls, it allows everyone to have a great cardio workout whilst being able to develop and improve tennis skills at the same time. Cardio Tennis is completely inclusive allowing disabled people to participate at different ability levels. Staff Training: The three-hour Cardio Tennis Teacher Training Course has been developed to provide college sports lecturers and secondary school PE teachers with the knowledge and skills to deliver Cardio Tennis within a college or school environment. The Tennis Foundation provide annual funding to the LTA Regional teams that can enable lecturers and teachers to attend courses for free. Contact your LTA Regional Office to book onto a local course. I ve never seen my students so interested and engaged during a sports enrichment session as I have with this Cardio Tennis scheme. Their level of concentration and commitment to the coach, the content and ethos of sessions has exceeded my expectations! Lisa Hillman, Lecturer in Leisure Studies SOLIHULL COLLEGE Solihull College uses pop-up tennis to promote enrichment sessions In a effort to drum up some interest for the new lunch time Short Tennis sessions, Natalie Wilcox (College Sport Maker) decided to use the concept of pop-up tennis to take tennis to the students, showing them what fun they can have with a sponge ball and short racket on a small court! Contact your LTA Regional Office for details of local coaches who are trained in delivering Cardio Tennis, or details of how to book staff onto a Cardio Tennis Teacher Training Course at: www. lta.org. uk/in-yourarea - select: County To access a free touchtennis equipment pack (limited to one per college and if the college has not previously received one) please contact the Education team: education@ tennisfoundation.org.uk Natalie has been thrilled with the success This has been a fantastic marketing tool to promote the weekly Short Tennis sessions to students from all areas of the college. We have popped up in the canteen, the student centre, the main entrance, the sports centre and the sixth form centre, this has enabled us to reach areas of the college with students who are typically disengaged. This has had a positive knock-on impact, with Short Tennis being one of the best attended sports sessions at the college! CASE STUDY 14 15

9 CASE STUDY WEYMOUTH COLLEGE Weymouth College were keen to diversify their tennis offer and provide enrichment tennis sessions for students on Foundation Learning courses. The college had a clear goal from the start and the project clearly cut across a number of cross-college objectives - study programme provision, inclusion, volunteering and community links. The Tennis Foundation provided additional funding to support costs for the festival, Tennis Leaders training, kit and weekly sessions. The key to making the project a success was the effective communication and planning between the college staff, in particular Ben Heath, who drives the college tennis programme, local coach Julien Lawes and the special schools themselves. The impact of the project was huge as it engaged many people within the college with Foundation Learners receiving weekly tennis coaching and sports students attending Tennis Leaders training to enable them to deliver sessions at local special schools. The media department also created a video and used this as a project within their course qualification. Ultimately this project showcased how tennis can enrich people s lives and serve to be much more than a game! Ben Heath felt that the project made a real difference to the students who trained as Tennis Leaders: This is a great opportunity for our students to learn how to work with a wide range of abilities, adapting their plans and delivery to meet the individual needs of the participants. It is also a brilliant addition to the tennis programme we have been working on with the Tennis Foundation over the last four years. By working in partnership with the Tennis Foundation, Weymouth College wanted to achieve the following: Provide weekly tennis coaching sessions (6 weeks+) for students with learning disabilities Strengthen their successful link with Weymouth Tennis Club Run Tennis Leaders training for sports students Deliver a tennis festival for their Foundation Learners and invite students from two local special schools to attend Students who attended the Tennis Leaders training were able to support this event being delivered by Weymouth Tennis Club Create a short video to capture the festival Task students who attend the Tennis Leaders course to put their skills into practice and continue to provide regular tennis sessions at the college and for the two special schools in the local community Build upon the above on a yearly basis SPORTS LEADERSHIP AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT We know that colleges want to set their learners up for success in the workplace, not to mention success in college and life generally. Tennis can provide opportunities for learners to develop a variety of transferable skills and build confidence through vocational experiences; this can give them a step up when it comes to higher education or employability. CHOOSE TENNIS... to train, develop and skill your learners for the future. TENNIS LEADERS Tennis Leaders is the first step on the tennis and sport career pathway for volunteering and potentially, paid employment. It has been designed to offer a wide range of opportunities to young people aged 13 years plus, providing them with enhanced leadership skills and experience. The Tennis Leaders content can specifically contribute to the following BTEC Level 3 Sport units: Sports Coaching, Leadership in Sport and Organising Sports Events. Tennis Leaders can now be delivered by qualified and active teachers or lecturers, as well as licensed and registered coaches (Level 3 upwards) without the need to go on any specific training. All you need is the Tutor Workbook and Tennis Leaders Workbooks which are available free of charge from your LTA Regional Office. There are five Tennis Leaders modules but you need to complete the Core Module first before working through any of the additional four modules. As a minimum, to receive their free certificate and t-shirt, learners will need to complete the Core Module plus one additional module. Core Module - Introduction to Tennis (3 hours) Additional Modules (2 hours each): Helping at a competition Helping at your school Volunteering at your tennis venue Leading a practice session Deliver the Tennis Leaders modules and deploy your sport leaders to support activity in local primary schools or community tennis venues. MORE INFO Volunteering in tennis is a great way for young people to build upon their skills and experiences and increase the opportunities available to them in employment. There are lots of ways young people can get involved in volunteering in tennis including helping to organise competitions, becoming a Tennis Leader or attending a young volunteer event. Find out more about Tennis Leaders at: team-programme-development/ becoming-a-tennis-leader To order your free Tennis Leaders resources please contact your LTA regional office, contact details are available on the back cover

10 STUDENT TENNIS AMBASSADORS If you want to promote tennis at your college why not recruit a Student Tennis Ambassador, or a small team of ambassadors, to support staff with promoting and delivering your tennis enrichment sessions? Your ambassador does not have to be a regular tennis player but they could be a proactive sports leader with an interest in tennis, who can help to drive tennis participation in the college. A few examples of their role could include: Promoting tennis as part of your enrichment programme (including traditional, touchtennis or Cardio Tennis) Promoting these opportunities at Freshers Fair and throughout the year Leading some of the enrichment activities which could be tennis tasters, lunch clubs or intra-college competitions Leading a small group of ambassadors to help set up student-led activity Taking a lead role to help your staff train and mentor sports leaders to support primary school tennis activities e.g. festivals, competitions, curriculum support Our first FE National Training Day will take place at Loughborough University on Tuesday 7th November 2017 to help ambassadors with their role in colleges. This will involve a mixture of on-court and off-court activity, and offer ambassadors the opportunity to share their experiences with other college ambassadors in a similar role. For further information please Paul Cummins, Further Education and Education Projects Manager, at paul.cummins@tennisfoundation.org.uk Thanks to the funding we ve received from the Tennis Foundation, we ve gone from having 10 pupils playing tennis, to more than 600 wanting to play! As well as increased participation, we ve now put an intra-competition in place and have developed a number of pupils into ambassadors to help deliver sessions, one of whom is now employed at a local club. Mark Howard, Sports Development Co-ordinator, Walsall College AoC Sport works with colleges and partners to ensure that sport is a key part of college life and benefits all aspects of the student experience. Participating, volunteering, coaching, officiating and organising sport can improve a students employability, health, confidence, self-esteem and attainment. The Tennis Foundation and LTA have designed a programme which recognises the importance of these and reflects the opportunities colleges and students want. We fully support the organisation in their mission to drive up standards of provision in colleges, developing excellent Tennis opportunities for students. Laura Danskin, Projects Officer, AoC Sport 18 19

11 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRESSION MORE INFO If your college are already organising tennis related leadership and volunteering opportunities you might like to consider some of the options under this section to extend provision. There are four teacher training courses that are aimed at up-skilling teachers, but we can also offer tailored versions of these courses to colleges who wish to train up their staff and students to support the delivery of tennis in local schools. PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER TRAINING COURSE This three-hour course course is available to be delivered to a group of further education students and/or further education teaching staff and it will provide a practical understanding of how tennis can be delivered in primary schools. It can also specifically contribute to the following BTEC Level 3 Sport units: Sports Coaching and Leadership in Sport (see Links to Qualifications document). The course offers an insight into the structuring of a primary schools tennis session, the modifications that can be employed, and the range of innovative resources available to engage and instruct participants. Students who attend the three-hour course are provided with a range of Primary Schools Tennis resources to help them further with their studies. SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHER TRAINING COURSE The three-hour course is available to be delivered to a group of further education students and/or further education sports teaching staff and it will provide a practical understanding of how tennis can be delivered in secondary schools. It can also specifically contribute to the following BTEC Level 3 Sport units: Sports Coaching and Leadership in Sport (see Links to Qualifications document). Tennis is now firmly established as a option at Barnet and Southgate College (BSC). If you are a good, passionate or committed Tennis player and want to improve your level of play and start your journey towards employment within the game, BSC is the place to facilitate that. We have been assisted in this process though some financial support and perhaps more crucially, networking. Our partner club (Hazelwood Sports Club) was identified through the LTA as well as our coach education partners (inspire2coach). James Edgerley, Sports Development Officer, Barnet and Southgate College INCLUSIVE TENNIS TEACHER TRAINING COURSE Many disabled young people have the ability to participate fully in tennis, with little or no adaptations. However, for some pupils with more limited functional or physical abilities, tennis activities can be adapted to ensure that all young people enjoy their experience and can achieve. To support special school teachers, and those teaching disabled young people in mainstream education, we have developed a package of innovative training, resources and equipment. This course is available to be delivered to a group of further education students and/or further education teaching staff and it will provide a practical understanding of how tennis can be adapted and delivered to a class of children with a range of abilities in a small space. It can also specifically contribute to the following BTEC Level 3 Sport units: Sports Coaching, Leadership in Sport and Current Issues in Sport (see Links to Qualifications document). A number of colleges have already accessed this training course and as a result, the students have supported with delivering tennis sessions for young disabled people within their own college and local special schools. Find out more about the teacher training courses at: uk/discover-tennis/school/ schools-offering-tenniseducation-programmes To discuss setting up a course at your college or to access a place on a local course, please contact your local LTA Regional Office - details at: wwww.lta.org.uk/ about-the-lta/contact-us The inclusive tennis teacher training course has given staff the knowledge and skills to provide a more inclusive environment for our tennis sessions at Derwen College. Stephen Evans, Sport and Leisure Coordinator, Derwen College This course is also recommenced for further education sports teaching staff if they are interested in delivering tennis as part of the BTEC Level 3 unit: Practical Individual Sports. Students are offered an insight into the structuring of a secondary schools tennis session, the modifications that can be employed, and the fun and exciting drills used to engage and instruct participants. Students who attend the three-hour course are provided with the Secondary Schools Tennis resource to help them further with their studies

12 COMPETITION SENIOR STUDENTS COMPETITION Team Tennis Schools is a programme of three nationally organised competitions that provides further education and secondary school students with the opportunity to play regular competitive tennis and to represent their schools and colleges. All competitions begin locally and culminate in a national final. The national finals are organised by the Tennis Foundation and LTA. The Senior Students Competition is particularly well positioned for further education students, as it covers the school years The aim of this competition is to encourage lower-rated and more recreational players to play competitive tennis and to provide the team with an opportunity to compete in a national final. The entry period runs from June to September with local league matches being played October through to December. Winners of the local leagues progress to the knock-out rounds which start in January. The national final takes place in March. All competitions are free to enter and only four players are required for a team! Three events to enter: boys, girls or mixed The boys and girls events require four players - the format is four singles and two doubles rubbers The mixed event requires two boys and two girls in a team with the format being four doubles rubbers FAIR PLAY Fair Play in tennis has always been an important value and the Tennis Foundation and LTA are committed to ensuring that the tennis environment is fair, open and inclusive at every level in the sport. The Tennis Foundation and LTA use Enjoy. Respect as the two overarching values to represent Fair Play. Find out more at: INTRA-COLLEGE COMPETITION We have a dedicated competition section of our website which is there to support college staff and Student Tennis Ambassadors to set up a variety of intra-college competitions. Competitions can last from one to three hours and they can be individual, doubles or team based events. MORE INFO Colleges will have the opportunity to sign up for free promotional packs and equipment incentives if they commit to running regular timed tennis events throughout the year, for more information visit LINKING WITH LOCAL TENNIS VENUES AND COACHES Colleges can link up with local tennis clubs, parks and indoor centres to assist in delivering a wide range of activities including enrichment, team training and competitions. Once you have got your staff and students hooked on playing tennis in college, the partnerships you build with local tennis providers. This can extend the opportunities for staff and students to further their enjoyment, skills and experiences by continuing to play tennis in the local community. Developing a link with a local tennis venue brings many benefits to colleges, including: Increased opportunities for your students to play tennis outside college Opportunities for work experience placements and volunteering The college profile raised in the community Shared facilities and equipment Access to qualified and experienced tennis coaches who can up-skill staff and support delivery Enhanced enrichment activity Healthier and more physically active students, improving standards across the college Hosting a Tennis Satellite Club on the college site Increased awareness of exit routes for players, coaches and volunteers Establishing a Tennis Academy Programme linked to the Sport Study Programme Assistance in achieving targets, standards and recognition MORE INFO The strong link with the local club has been the key to the success of tennis at Chesterfield College. Students are within walking distance of top of the range indoor and outdoor facilities, quality coaching and a high class tennis experience at Chesterfield LTC. There is no wonder our students look forward to going back each week to take part in coaching sessions, intra-college competitions and leadership courses. You can search for local tennis venues and coaches at: Your LTA Regional Office can also assist with this process For more ideas on how to extend tennis provision and make links with local venues and coaches, please go to the College Tennis Self Review section at the back of this guide 22 Will Hughes, College Sport Maker, Chesterfield College 23

13 CASE STUDY CARSHALTON COLLEGE AND SUTTON TENNIS ACADEMY The aim of the tennis programme at Carshalton College was two-fold - firstly, they wanted to provide disabled students the opportunity to have a go at tennis and secondly, it was to raise awareness of the local tennis outlets that were available to them. The local tennis provider Sutton Tennis Academy offers a strong disability programme, however, none of the students were aware that the sessions were available or that it was something they could attend. Working in collaboration with Sutton Tennis Academy we were initially able to arrange for two groups of students to attend four weeks of coaching. The first three weeks would take place on college site with the last session taking place at Sutton Tennis Academy, as a way of introducing the students to the environment. This quickly grew to include a third block of coaching which meant that all students in the Skills for Work & Life programme had the opportunity to attend the coaching sessions on offer. To ensure the success of the programmes we looked at addressing a number of the barriers confronting students engagement. These included scheduling it during the day time during gaps in the timetable, working with support workers to encourage students involvement and supporting students when travelling to Sutton Tennis Academy. Now nearing the end of the coaching blocks we have seen almost all of the Skills for Work & Life students (approximately 100 students) engage with the programme at some point, with the majority of them attending each week. For us the vital factors affecting its success is that it was easily accessible to our students. By removing the often difficult barriers we enabled a larger cohort of students to access the programme. Kimberley Humphrey, College Sport Coordinator COACHES A number of colleges are building links with local tennis venues and coaches to set up coaching experience, volunteering and work experience for their learners. These links are providing valuable opportunities for learners to develop transferable skills which will enhance their employability. This is a two-way partnership as it also helps tennis venues to boost their workforce and identify potential new coaches. Colleges who are interested in building tennis coaching qualifications into their Sport Study Programmes are encouraged to make contact with the LTA Coach Education Centres, further details can be found on the LTA website under the coach and teach section. Qualifications A qualification represents the level of training a coach has received and the level of skill to which they have been assessed. The LTA s current Coaching Pathway is shown to the right. Coach Accreditation Coach Accreditation is issued by the LTA to coaches and coaching assistants who meet a range of requirements relating to safety and training. It is an easy way for parents, players and clubs to identify those coaches and assistants who are appropriately qualified and have the knowledge, competence and skills to perform specific roles. There are two levels of coach accreditation; registration and licensing. Registration is the basic level of accreditation issued to those who are safe to practice. Accreditation+ is the top level of accreditation issued to those who are qualified, safe to practice and take part in regular training through continuous professional development. The coach accreditation scheme offers support to coaches to ensure all those taking part in the game have an enjoyable and safe experience which helps sustain the positive image and reputation of the sport. Both forms of accreditation mean that a coach or coaching assistant has met the following criteria: A minimum level of qualification A satisfactory DBS (formerly CRB) enhanced disclosure (repeated every three years) A valid Emergency First Aid at Work Certificate and a requirement to keep this up-to-date MORE INFO For more information about coaching, please visit:

14 COLLEGE TENNIS SELF REVIEW Use this self-review tool to audit your current provision and provide further ideas on how to increase the opportunities for your learners to both enjoy tennis and to learn through the sport. The self-review covers five aspects of college sport: Sport study programmes Leadership and volunteering Enrichment and extra-curricular Talent identification,development and support Community sport and facilities The below areas are also detailed in the document - Towards Outstanding: National standards for College sport (available from the Association of Colleges). Tennis can be used across the college as a driver to support learners to progress, gain knowledge, skills and develop as individuals. Colleges can use the self-review tool as evidence towards Self-Assessment Reports (SARs) and improvement planning. CHOOSE TENNIS as a driver for college improvement, giving learners experiences within and beyond the curriculum that will help them to develop valuable social, vocational and life skills. JOIN THE CONVERSATION We would love to hear about the tennis activity taking place at your college! Please share any videos, images or exciting news with us via Twitter. If you don t have social media or simply want to share photos of your students playing or leading please to us at education@tennisfoundation.org.uk Jack Great tennis session in the sun Tennis Our National Student Tennis Conference Weekend is back for a second year! Sport study programmes Staff use tennis themed curriculum resources/links to Qualifications resource (see LTA website) Deliver Tennis Leaders modules and deploy leaders to support activity in local primary schools or community tennis venues Work with community tennis venues to provide work experience opportunities Include touchtennis/tennis as a block on the Practical Individual Sport unit Encourage staff to attend a 1st4sport Level 1 or Level 2 Coaching Tennis course Link with an LTA Coach Education Centre to deliver tennis coaching qualifications for your learners Work with a local qualified/ accredited tennis coach to up-skill staff and support delivery Leadership and volunteering Deliver Tennis Leaders modules and deploy sport leaders to support activity in local primary schools or community tennis venues Sports leaders supporting delivery of enrichment activity and intracollege Timed Tennis Competition Appoint a Student Tennis Ambassador to promote and deliver enrichment activity and intra-college Timed Tennis Competitions Work with a local qualified/ accredited tennis coach to up-skill staff and support delivery Enrichment and extra-curricular Contact the Tennis Foundation for a free tennis equipment pack if you have not already received one Deliver touchtennis in your sports hall as part of your enrichment programme - informal pitch up and play Use the concept of pop-up tennis to run tennis tasters or promotional sessions in different spaces around college a great way to promote your enrichment sessions and show the flexibility of tennis! Deliver tennis on site if you have tennis courts, or develop a link with a local tennis club or venue to access facilities - many local authority park courts can be accessed free of charge Include touchtennis on the enrichment programme for your Foundation learners and learners with a disability Staff can attend a free three hour Inclusive Tennis Teacher Training Course, giving them the skills and resources to deliver inclusive sessions Deliver Cardio Tennis as an alternative fitness class Staff can attend a free three-hour Cardio Tennis Teacher Training Course, giving them the skills and resources to deliver Cardio Tennis which can be delivered in a sports hall or on tennis courts Deliver intra-college Timed Tennis Competitions singles, doubles or team events. Run termly competitions. Ensure delivery of tennis is inclusive so all learners can participate and enjoy Talent identification, development and support Set up a Tennis Academy Programme offering learners the opportunity to train and compete regularly during the week alongside their academic studies, by linking with a local tennis venue and qualified/accredited coaches Signpost talented young players to join a local club or work with qualified/accredited coaches Enter the national Team Tennis Schools Senior Students and National Championships events Enter the AoC Sport National Championships Link with an LTA Coach Education Centre to deliver tennis coaching and officiating qualifications for your learners that will help them to progress in their sport Community sport and facilities Open up your facilities to a local community club or run a Satellite Club on the college site Develop a link with a local tennis club or venue to access facilities - many local authority park courts can be accessed free of charge Link with a local university to offer joint tennis opportunities for FE/HE learners Find out if your local university has a University Tennis Coordinator or Tennis Ambassador who can support with joint provision Work with community tennis venues to provide work experience opportunities and progression onto tennis coaching Apprenticeships or employment Alison Tennis skills and fun @BritishTennis Tennis Great day s training this week with students from the #unitennis #fetennis @UoETennisClub Toby in Acton at the East Student Ambassador training. #unitennis #fetennis Will Hughes Action shots of this lunchtime s short tennis lead by our Tennis Leaders Steve Evans - A fantastic first LTA South East Student Tennis Ambassadors putting their cardio skills to the test at regional network event #unitennis #FETENNIS 27